Page 69 of Dream Chaser

“No.”

“Any chronic illnesses?”

“No.”

“Good,” he said, zipping between cars like we were running out of time.

In what felt like a few minutes, he parked. Then I was in his arms again, clinging to his neck as he carried me into the brightly lit emergency room. He carefully sat me on a chair in the waiting area then went to the counter and gestured toward me, his mouth pinched into a worried frown.

After a thirty-minute wait, an older nurse finally appeared by my side with a wheelchair.

“I’m Sandra, sweetheart. Let’s get you comfortable.” She helped me up before rolling me to a nearby exam room, where I lay down on a hospital bed. While Sandra set up the equipment, another woman wheeled in a computer and asked questions about my insurance.

Sandra asked about my medical history, then took my blood pressure and checked my pulse. More tests followed: an EKG, and blood work. Everything felt foggy, like I wasn’t present in my body.

I was just an observer. Exhausted. Uncertain. Scared.

“It’s gonna be alright,” Sandra whispered, curling her palm around my shoulder. “Your husband will be here in a moment.”

My heart stuttered. “My husband?” No. Not Preston. Why would they call him without asking me first?

“That’s right,” Sandra said, smiling. “That handsome young man is so worried. Told us to take care of you like it’s not our job.”

Relief slammed into me. Alejandro. She was talking about him.

“Can I see her?” His voice rose behind the curtain.

“The doctor will be here soon,” Sandra said before slipping out of the room.

Alejandro walked in and paused by my bed. “How are you feeling?”

“Cold,” I whispered.

He stepped into the hall and returned with a blanket a moment later. Comforting warmth spread over me as he covered me with the soft fabric, then sat on a chair by the bed and took my hand. His thumb skimmed over my knuckles, and I threaded my fingers through his. An odd mix of calm and excitement seeped through the haze of panic.

Alejandro squeezed my fingers gently. “Did they tell you anything yet?”

“Just did a bunch of tests and called you my husband.”

He smiled with one corner of his mouth. “I had more important things to worry about than setting them straight.”

“It gave me quite the scare. I thought Preston was here.”

His jaw worked. “I wouldn’t let him get within ten feet of this room.”

I rolled my lips to contain my smile. So protective.

Alejandro shifted in his seat then cleared his throat. “Is everything still spinning?”

I nodded. “Like one of those amusement park attractions, just not as fun.”

His sympathetic gaze roamed my face. “I’m sorry. Hopefully they can do something to help.”

The doctor stepped inside the room and put his hand under the sanitizer dispenser on the wall by the door. “I’m Dr. Zanetti. I’m going to do a quick exam, if that’s alright.”

I nodded.

“I’ll give you some privacy,” Alejandro said, then stepped into the hall. Without his calming presence, anxiety tightened my chest.